Principal Solutions Architect, AWS Industries, Telco - Amazon

Description Are you a visionary network architect and technology leader who has driven successful telecom network transformation programs? Do you want to shape the future of cloud-driven network modernization for the 5G era and beyond? At AWS, we are seeking a Principal Solutions Architect to spearhead efforts in guiding telecommunications service providers through their strategic network cloudification initiatives. In this highly technical and customer-facing role, you will engage with the largest Tier 1 telecom operators in North America to provide deep technical expertise and strategic guidance on transforming legacy network architectures into cloud-native, software-defined infrastructures. You will lead the charge in designing and implementing cloud networking solutions that modernize telco networks for 5G, edge computing, and next-generation services. This includes re-architecting networks with cloud principles, adopting cloud-native network functions (CNFs), infrastructure-as-code approaches, and automated cloud networking fabrics leveraging AWS services. Your vision will shape AWS's point of view on cloud network transformation through authoring whitepapers, reference architectures, and industry upskilling content. You will deliver executive briefings, architectural workshops, and co-create new networking solutions aligned to telco cloud adoption patterns. As a trusted customer advocate, you will drive revenue growth by formulating and executing sales strategies with the AWS Sales team, focused on network modernization and CNF opportunities. You will build deep relationships with senior technical leaders to enable them as cloud advocates within their companies. A core responsibility will be mobilizing AWS networking teams, service teams, and partners to ensure successful implementation of enterprise networking solutions and CNFs on AWS. You will educate customers on the value proposition of AWS networking services and CNF capabilities through training, architectural discussions, and cloud acceleration programs. Additionally, you will capture and share networking and CNF best practices across AWS, including authoring customer-facing content like whitepapers and blogs. The ideal candidate will have: You should possess deep hands-on proficiency in traditional and cloud-native telecom network architectures. You must have experience driving end-to-end large-scale network transformation programs and the ability to articulate technical cloud networking concepts to C-level stakeholders. A proven track record developing and integrating cloud networking solutions is essential. You should be skilled in unifying cross-functional teams to deliver complex technology initiatives and have a strong understanding of telco business challenges, revenue models, and cloud economic impacts. We seek broad competence across infrastructure, security, DevOps, databases, app development, and analytics, with deep expertise in networking and at least one other area. Hands-on experience using AWS networking services and deploying CNFs is crucial. Strong interpersonal skills are required to effectively communicate with all customer stakeholders from network professionals to CXOs. This is a unique opportunity to play a principal role in reshaping telco networks for the cloud era. We seek a passionate technologist with multi-disciplinary expertise spanning telecom networks, software-defined architectures, automation, and distributed cloud computing - someone able to tie together technical depth with overarching business strategy for our telco customers. Key job responsibilities - Lead the design and implementation of cloud networking solutions that modernize telco networks for 5G, edge computing, and next-gen services, showcasing deep expertise in large-scale distributed network architectures and CNFs. - Spearhead re-architecting legacy telco networks with cloud principles, cloud-native network functions (CNFs), infrastructure-as-code, and automated cloud fabrics, leveraging hands-on experience with AWS networking services and CNF deployment models. - Shape AWS's vision on cloud network transformation by authoring strategic whitepapers, reference architectures, and industry upskilling content, contributing to both internal and customer-facing publications. - Deliver executive briefings, architectural workshops, and co-create new networking solutions aligned to telco cloud adoption patterns, communicating effectively across all levels, from network engineers to CXOs. - Provide deep technical expertise and strategic guidance to Tier 1 telcos on transforming legacy network architectures to cloud-native, software-defined infrastructures, thinking strategically about aligning network and CNF solutions to complex business requirements. - Become a trusted strategic advisor to telco customers, articulating the technical depth of cloud networking while tying solutions to overarching business impacts and digital transformation journeys. - Drive end-to-end large-scale network transformation programs, unifying cross-functional teams to deliver complex, high-stakes technology initiatives, with an entrepreneurial spirit to have fun while making history. - Exhibit multi-disciplinary expertise spanning telco networks, software-defined architectures, cloud automation, and distributed cloud computing principles, influencing AWS networking and CNF roadmaps by representing customer needs. - Demonstrate hands-on proficiency across traditional and modern cloud-native telco network architectures, CNFs, and AWS cloud networking services, ensuring secure and performant designs. - Showcase understanding of telco business models, revenue drivers, and economic impacts of transitioning network operations to the cloud, educating customers on the value proposition of AWS. - Evangelize AWS's cloud networking vision within the telecom industry through executive circles, conferences, webinars, and industry events, promoting AWS within the Telecommunications, Enterprise, and Service Provider communities. - Collaborate with AWS teams to influence product roadmaps and develop innovative networking solutions tailored for the telco sector, driving and shaping new solutions for repeatable customer business outcomes. - Assist telco partners in building cloud networking practices, integrating CNF solutions, and operating modernized telco networks on AWS, helping to design and implement large-scale network transformation programs. - Drive business engagements for cloud networking strategies, architectures, and CNF roadmaps, developing technical strategies for complex enterprise systems' migration to the cloud. - Capture and share networking and CNF best practices across AWS, including authoring customer-facing content like whitepapers and blogs, as a means of scaling your knowledge and expertise. A day in the life In this role, your typical day will involve engaging with Tier 1 telecom service providers, enterprise customers, and AWS Sales teams to architect and implement transformative cloud solutions that modernize infrastructure for 5G, edge computing, and next-generation services. You will leverage your multi-disciplinary expertise spanning cloud technologies, software-defined architectures, automation, and distributed systems to deliver strategic guidance and impactful business outcomes. A core part of your role is acting as a trusted strategic advisor, helping telco and enterprise leaders reimagine their architectures through the lens of cloud-native design patterns. You will shape multi-year digital transformation roadmaps that transition legacy monolithic infrastructures to cloud-based, scalable, and flexible systems leveraging AWS services and infrastructure-as-code. You'll help organizations understand best practices for operating and optimizing workloads on the cloud, utilizing your ability to think strategically about complex technical requirements and business objectives. Your vision will drive AWS's point of view on cloud transformation through developing strategic whitepapers, reference architectures, and industry upskilling programs. You will channel your creativity into co-creating innovative cloud solutions tailored for telco and enterprise cloud adoption, delivering executive briefings, architectural workshops, and authoring technical guidance. This includes developing new architectural patterns, reference implementations, and technical content focused on various AWS services and solutions. Your day will be a mix of cloud strategy sessions with executives, deep-dive architecture engagements with engineering teams, and cross-functional collaboration with AWS teams and partners. You will evangelize AWS's capabilities through conferences, webinars, industry events, and hands-on training sessions, establishing AWS as the platform of choice for digital transformation. You'll strike a balance between customer meetings, designing solutions, proof-of-concept implementations, continuous learning, and knowledge sharing. The AWS Solutions Architecture team provides an immersive environment with self-paced labs, instructor-led training, hands-on projects, job shadowing, and mentoring to expand your skills across AWS services and modern architectures. As a passionate technologist, you will immerse yourself in continuous learning spanning cloud technologies and emerging trends. You will have opportunities for mentorship and experimental learning to expand your cloud skillset. Above all, you will foster an insatiable curiosity to understand the intricate interplay between technical depth and overarching business strategy for the telco and enterprise verticals, always striving to achieve outcomes that delight customers. About the team About AWS Diverse Experiences AWS values diverse experiences. Even if you do not meet all of the qualifications and skills listed in the job description, we encourage candidates to apply. If your career is just starting, hasn't followed a traditional path, or includes alternative experiences, don't let it stop you from applying. Why AWS? Amazon Web Services (AWS) is the world's most comprehensive and broadly adopted cloud platform. We pioneered cloud computing and never stopped innovating - that's why customers from the most successful startups to Global 500 companies trust our robust suite of products and services to power their businesses. Inclusive Team Culture Here at AWS, it's in our nature to learn and be curious. Our employee-led affinity groups foster a culture of inclusion that empower us to be proud of our differences. Ongoing events and learning experiences, including our Conversations on Race and Ethnicity (CORE) and AmazeCon (gender diversity) conferences, inspire us to never stop embracing our uniqueness. Mentorship & Career Growth We're continuously raising our performance bar as we strive to become Earth's Best Employer. That's why you'll find endless knowledge-sharing, mentorship and other career-advancing resources here to help you develop into a better-rounded professional. Work/Life Balance We value work-life harmony. Achieving success at work should never come at the expense of sacrifices at home, which is why we strive for flexibility as part of our working culture. When we feel supported in the workplace and at home, there's nothing we can't achieve in the cloud. AWS Sales, Marketing, and Global Services (SMGS) is responsible for driving revenue, adoption, and growth from the largest and fastest growing small- and mid-market accounts to enterprise-level customers including public sector. The AWS Global Support team interacts with leading companies and believes that world-class support is critical to customer success. AWS Support also partners with a global list of customers that are building mission-critical applications on top of AWS services. The AWS Industries team is committed to helping industry customers enable their digital transformation journeys. Our primary goal is to meet customers where they are in their cloud journey and work backwards from their industry specific needs to transform their business and their entire industry. Our team speaks the language of our industry customers, which means that we focus on business outcomes and industry use cases on behalf of our customers, whether that is how we build products and solutions, how we sell, how we deliver, or how we partner. Basic Qualifications - 10+ Years experience in traditional and modern telecom network architectures (mobile core, radio access, transport/backhaul, IP/MPLS), coupled with a deep understanding of cloud networking technologies (network virtualization, SDN, NFV). - Comprehensive knowledge of cloud-native network architectures, containerized network functions (CNFs), infrastructure-as-code, and model-driven network automation. - Hands-on proficiency in data-driven network operations, telemetry, observability, and closed-loop automation for large-scale telco networks, with a strong command over networking protocols, standards, and security best practices across telecom core, edge/access, and multi-cloud environments. - Proven ability to articulate complex technical concepts and cloud networking visions through executive presentations and technical whiteboardings, as well as developing and evangelizing strategic technology roadmaps that reshape enterprise or telco network architectures. - Expertise in driving end-to-end, multi-year network transformation programs for Tier 1 telecommunications service providers, with demonstrated experience in leading large-scale network modernization initiatives. Preferred Qualifications - Hands-on experience with AWS networking services like VPC, Transit Gateway, Direct Connect, and AWS Cloud WAN solutions. - Proven expertise in deploying and operating cloud-native network functions (CNFs), network automation, and modern telco cloud frameworks. - Proficiency in cloud-native networking patterns, container networking models, service mesh implementations, and GitOps practices - Experience leading end-to-end, large-scale network transformation initiatives and cloud migration programs for Tier 1 telecommunications service providers. - Comprehensive knowledge of 5G system architecture, core/RAN/Edge, multi-access edge computing (MEC), and hybrid cloud/multi-cloud telco networks - Track record in developing technical guides, reference architectures, and solution accelerators for cloud-driven network modernization. - Direct expertise in executive-level advisory and strategic technology roadmap development for C-suite telco stakeholders Amazon is committed to a diverse and inclusive workplace. Amazon is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, national origin, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, protected veteran status, disability, age, or other legally protected status. For individuals with disabilities who would like to request an accommodation, please visit https://www.amazon.jobs/en/disability/us. Our compensation reflects the cost of labor across several US geographic markets. The base pay for this position ranges from $164,500/year in our lowest geographic market up to $284,300/year in our highest geographic market. Pay is based on a number of factors including market location and may vary depending on job-related knowledge, skills, and experience. Amazon is a total compensation company. Dependent on the position offered, equity, sign-on payments, and other forms of compensation may be provided as part of a total compensation package, in addition to a full range of medical, financial, and/or other benefits. For more information, please visit https://www.aboutamazon.com/workplace/employee-benefits. This position will remain posted until filled. Applicants should apply via our internal or external career site.